Influenza:
- Influenza commonly known as “the flu”, is a contagious respiratory illness. It is caused by influenza viruses, a member of the ‘orthomyxovirus’ family.
- Influenza viruses infect the respiratory tract (i.e. nose, throat, lungs) and can cause mild to severe life-threatening illness.
- Types: There are 3 types of influenza (flu) viruses: types A, B, and C.
- Influenza A: Humans and many different animals are infected by it.
- Influenza B: Infects only humans.
- Influenza C: Infects Humans and pigs.
- Influenza A viruses are divided into subtypes based on two proteins on the surface of the virus namely the hemagglutinin (H) and the neuraminidase (N). Some of the most virulent strains of influenza are -
- H5N1 Avian (bird) flu.
- H1N1; originally referred as Swine flu.
H1N1 Flu Virus (Swine Flu):
- Swine flu is an infection caused by type A influenza viruses.
- Who are infected? It's named for a virus that pigs can get. People do not normally get swine flu, but human infections can and do happen. In 2009 a strain of swine flu called H1N1 infected many people around the world. The virus is contagious and can spread from human to human.
- Symptoms: Symptoms of swine flu in people are similar to the symptoms of regular human flu and include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue.
Oseltamivir/Tamiflu:
- Oseltamivir is an antiviral medication used to treat and prevent influenza A and influenza B.
- it is sold under the brand name It is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines (the most effective and safe medicines needed in a health system).
- Oseltamivir was approved for medical use in the US in 1999.
- Antiflu: In 2008, the Indian drug company, Cipla won a case in an Indian court allowing it to manufacture a cheaper generic version of Tamiflu, called Antiflu.
